Aussiedoodle Health Issues: 9 Common Aussiedoodle Health Problems to Look Out For!
Aussiedoodles are known for being a friendly and energetic breed! Whether you have one or planning to get one, you should be informed about their lifestyle, energy, and especially any Aussiedoodle health issues that may arise. When getting a new Aussiedoodle puppy, information about how to properly care for their long term health is often overlooked by their cute puppy state. Aussiedoodle health problems should be a genuine concern for owners, as well as what us fur parents can do to be ready for them or, ideally, prevent them!
Do Aussiedoodles Have Health Issues?
If you have an Aussiedoodle or are planning on getting one, you should know that Aussiedoodles do, in fact, have health issues.
Australian Shepherd and Poodle health issues can become Aussiedoodle health issues. Aussiedoodles may have less risk of certain conditions than purebred dogs due to their more diverse gene pool, but risks still exist. The Aussiedoodle can develop health issues that run in either hereditary line.
We never want to imagine our beloved Aussiedoodles getting sick, but sometimes issues can arise without warning. This is why pet insurance is so important! You never want to be caught with a huge vet bill that you can’t afford and put your Aussiedoodle’s health at risk because of your financial situation. Pet insurance can cover up to 90% of veterinary expenses making these conditions much more affordable.
I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t use it myself. I personally use Healthy Paws and love that it gives me peace-of-mind for an affordable price!
Aussiedoodle Health Issues from the Australian Shepherd Side
Drug Sensitivity in Aussiedoodles
Aussiedoodles are at an increased risk of multi-drug sensitivity. This is what’s called an “autosomal dominant” genetic condition. This means that the dog only needs one copy of the mutated gene from either parent to also have this genetic defect. However, this is more predominant in Australian Shepherds.
This mutation affects how the body removes and filters drugs and toxins out of the body. In addition to being unable to take certain medications, this condition can also be fatal.
Glaucoma in Aussiedoodles
Glaucoma is one of the more common Aussiedoodle health problems. This is sometimes referred to as a silent disease, meaning that it may affect your dog’s vision without revealing any other symptoms! If caught early enough, glaucoma can be treated. To preserve your Aussiedoodle’s vision it will run between $2,000-$3,000.
Pancreatitis in Aussiedoodles
The pancreas is a digestive organ which secretes enzymes to help break down foods—especially fatty foods. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, it subsequently begins to autodigest itself and break down its own tissue.
Pancreatitis doesn’t just have short term effects—it can cause further Aussiedoodle health issues. If 80% or more of the pancreas is destroyed, it can lead to diabetes in Aussiedoodles as well, as the pancreas also secretes insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Cushing’s Disease in Aussiedoodles
Cushing’s disease is a common problem for both Poodles and Australian Shepherds, placing it as one of the high-risk Aussiedoodles health problems. This disease is characterized by the body producing too much of the hormone, cortisol. This can cause a wide array of symptoms such as muscle wasting, thinning of skin, and an increased number of infections.
There are two main treatment options for Cushing’s disease—medication or surgery. The cost of the diagnosis can be expensive, or not, depending on how easy it is to spot. Generally, it averages between $500-$1,500 with the actual treatment costing between $50-$200 for medication or $2,500-$10,000 for the complex surgical procedure.
Coloring Complications in Aussiedoodles
One of the main attractions to the Aussiedoodle breed is its unique coat colors and patterns. While beautiful, they do add additional risk for Aussiedoodle health problems. Dogs with merle coats are known for having increased risk of hearing and vision impairment, particularly if they were bred from two merle parents.
Another risk to Aussiedoodles that are silver, blue, or gray is Color Dilution Alopecia. This condition is not fixable and can result in mild hair loss to complete balding depending on the severity.
Aussiedoodle Health Problems from the Poodle Side
Hip Dysplasia in Aussiedoodles
Nearly every dog owner has heard about hip dysplasia, because so many dogs are prone to it. Hip dysplasia is a genetically inherited disease that causes severe changes to the working of the hip joint. When an Aussiedoodle inherits this, their body has a set of faulty instructions to build the hip joint. This building error causes pain and deterioration of the joint later on.
Treatment is available, but for a steep price. The surgical procedure can cost upwards of $7,000 per hip.
Legg-Calves-Perthes Disease in Aussiedoodles
There are more Aussiedoodle health problems that are hip-related than just Hip Dysplasia. Legg-Calves-Perthes affects the ball of the ball and socket joint of the hip. This can be caused by genetic predisposition or sometimes trauma to the hip. Essentially, when this happens, the hip joint isn’t getting enough blood flow. Without proper blood flow, and thus oxygen, the joint and femoral head will begin to die. The necrosis of the bone and collapse of cartilage within the joint can cause extreme pain, a limp, and eventually arthritis.
This condition causes a persistent limp and intense pain, but luckily surgery can help. Surgery, which generally runs between $1,000-$3,000, can remove the necrotic bone and thus relieve symptoms.
Sebaceous Adenitis in Aussiedoodles
Poodles are sadly the poster-child of sebaceous adenitis. Sebaceous adenitis directly affects the glands that secrete oils to moisturize the skin and coat. These glands become inflamed and eventually destroyed. Unlike other potential health problems an Aussiedoodle may develop, this one isn’t nearly as serious. However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require treatment. Prescription shampoos are an affordable price ranging from $30-$50.
Hypoglycemia in Aussiedoodles
Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. The body requires glucose for energy. and without enough of it there may be dangerous effects including loss of consciousness, seizures, pain, and in severe cases death.
The underlying cause of the hypoglycemia determines the treatment. Finding the initial cause can start at $800 with the treatment itself costing much more.
Are Aussiedoodle Health Issues Common?
With hereditary health problems in both the Australian Shepherd and Poodle, there are a fair amount of Aussiedoodle health problems that are not uncommon. Are all Aussiedoodles going to develop every single health problem listed? No, but you should be prepared and take preventative measures either way to ensure your dog lives the healthiest life possible.
Every puppy from every litter has different DNA, which can play a big role in the development of Aussiedoodle health issues. While Aussiedoodles are a relatively healthy breed, that doesn’t mean they’re immune to all health problems. Luckily, there are a few preventative measures that can be taken to help keep your Aussiedoodle as healthy as possible!
How to Protect Your Pet from Aussiedoodle Health Problems
Choose a Reputable Aussiedoodle Breeder
A healthy Aussiedoodle starts with a quality breeder. Choosing a breeder should be a research-intensive task, to ensure ethical breeding practices. It’s important to avoid puppy mills, pet stores, and backyard breeders. An ethical, knowledgeable breeder will significantly decrease the chances of your dog developing Aussiedoodle health issues throughout their lifetime. Why? Good breeders will do genetic testing and usually offer a health guarantee. Keep in mind, that a “vet check” is not an equal substitute for genetic health testing.
Invest in Pet Insurance
While reading this article, you may have shuttered at the thought of paying over $3,500 for a hip surgery. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Vet expenses can be a huge stressor in the lives of pet parents. One of the best ways to reduce that stress is to invest in quality pet insurance for your Aussiedoodle. Pet insurance can cover up to 90% of veterinary expenses, meaning that you don’t have to worry about paying for your Aussiedoodle’s medical needs. The most valuable thing about pet insurance is the peace of mind it gives you.
There are a multitude of pet insurance companies, but I personally recommend Healthy Paws. With an affordable monthly rate and great coverage, I couldn’t imagine not having a Healthy Paws policy for my dog.
Screen for Hereditary Disease Risks with a DNA Kit
With just a simple swab of the cheek, Embark can screen your Aussiedoodle for over 190 genetic health conditions that they may be at risk for. This isn’t just cool information, it can actually save your Aussiedoodle’s life. For example, Embark tests for the MDR1 gene, which causes drug sensitivity. Knowing this information, your veterinarian can more safely administer medications, or avoid certain medications, essentially avoiding a potentially lethal reaction to a drug.
Proper Diet & Exercise Can Prevent Aussiedoodle Health Issues
Diet and exercise should go without saying—it’s so important to an Aussiedoodle’s overall well-being. Obesity can cause a variety of issues such as pancreatitis, joint issues, and much more. Obesity is easily preventable with proper diet and exercise and avoiding it can help prolong life.
I love tracking my dog’s activity with the Fi GPS Smart Collar. It’s essentially a Fitbit for dogs that tracks their steps! You can compete and climb the leaderboards for both Aussiedoodles and all dogs. Not only is it a fun tool to track activity, but it can also track their location, making it easy to find them if they ever get loose. Check out our full review and experiment to see the Fi collar in action.
Fi GPS Smart Collar for Dogs
Use the promo code POPULARDOODLE25 to get $25 off your new Fi collar!
Don’t Overlook Oral Hygiene to Prevent Aussiedoodle Health Problems
We may not brush our Aussiedoodle’s teeth twice a day, but that doesn’t mean their oral health isn’t important! Poor oral hygiene can cause Aussiedoodle health issues from systemic inflammation, to endocarditis, and much more! It’s recommended that you brush your Aussiedoodle’s teeth, at minimum, three times a week to prevent tartar and plaque build up. The best treatment is prevention! A regular oral hygiene regimen can help preserve your Aussiedoodle’s health!
